Not a good sign (Crosby content)

[elocomotive]

No Calder....

Same as Gretzky, in that regard...

Dup! Mad Dog! Settle!

 

[ritari330]

IMO, neither OV or Crosby or anyone else who only plays 6 seasons in the NHL should get in the HOF.

 

[ELYEAH82]

I don't agree. They'd just invest their marketing in another star. He and OV have carried the banner for several years now. But you have Stamkos, Skinner and Perry's stars are rising, the Sedins Bros., Toews/Kane in Chicago, etc.

I think OV and Crosby were important in generating interest at a time when the sport was struggling and they were both huge in that way. But it's a different time now, and other players can step into the void left by either guy. Playoff ratings were solid this year without either much in the mix and Crosby gone for basically the entire calendar year. Hopefully, he gets healthy and we get to see them continue to clash for years to come. But I don't think any one guy would be a hit to the league at all, much less a huge one.

Losing any superstar before their prime is a huge hit to the league. It seems to happen regularly in the NHL and isnt a good sign.

 

[elocomotive]

Losing any superstar before their prime is a huge hit to the league. It seems to happen regularly in the NHL and isnt a good sign.

How would you explain the Bruins/Canucks being the highest-rated Game 7 ever? Or game 1 of the Finals being the highest in over a decade? There were compelling characters (Thomas, the Sedins) and story lines there and top-notch players.

You can say "it's a huge hit," but what do you have to prove that? It's a huge loss if there isn't anyone to step in. Right now, I think there are plenty of them.

 

[DChero]

How would you explain the Bruins/Canucks being the highest-rated Game 7 ever? Or game 1 of the Finals being the highest in over a decade? There were compelling characters (Thomas, the Sedins) and story lines there and top-notch players.

You can say "it's a huge hit," but what do you have to prove that? It's a huge loss if there isn't anyone to step in. Right now, I think there are plenty of them.

There's also merch and jersey sales to consider. If Crosby and Ovechkin weren't in the league, then who who be the next "hockey guy" that casual fans think of?

 

[puckhead]

There's also merch and jersey sales to consider. If Crosby and Ovechkin weren't in the league, then who who be the next "hockey guy" that casual fans think of?

 

[DChero]

Who? That's the guy that taps in St. Louis' passes, right?

To be serious, I agree that Stamkos is probably next on the list, but I think it's still a pretty big gap. Crosby/OV made their names in regularly scoring 100+ points, being the faces of their teams, etc. Stamkos could certainly make his way there too, even with Crosby and OV playing.

 

[ELYEAH82]

I am not saying the sport will stagnate, and it is hard to prove any of this. But losing an MVP, scoring title and Goal scoring winner 5 years in to his career isn't a good thing. I feel dumber for even having to argue this with someone.

 

[evolver115]

I am not saying the sport will stagnate, and it is hard to prove any of this. But losing an MVP, scoring title and Goal scoring winner 5 years in to his career isn't a good thing. I feel dumber for even having to argue this with someone.

Don't get too bent, El. It's just loco showing his Penguins hatred, he wears it like a tattoo across his forehead :ss:

 

[DChero]

Don't get too bent, El. It's just loco showing his Penguins hatred, he wears it like a tattoo across his forehead :ss:

It's better than the Semin tattoo on his lower back. Zing-Pow!

 

[evolver115]

It's better than the Semin tattoo on his lower back. Zing-Pow!

 

[Forty_Sixand2]

Anyone (Caps fans included) who thinks that a premature end to Crosby's career would not be a horrible thing for the league is a bit delusional.

 

[ELYEAH82]

Anyone (Caps fans included) who thinks that a premature end to Crosby's career would not be a horrible thing for the league is a bit delusional.

That is all I am saying...

 

[Comeds]

I think Crosby is a tremendous player and stated that if he were done now he belongs in the HOF but I do not think if his career ends today it hurts the league much, if at all.

I know to some this will make me seem like I hate him, I don't, I just do not think any one player leaving even abruptly would damage the league greatly. Gretzky in his prime may have, but there is no equivalent to him now.

Hopefully we wont find out.

 

[evolver115]

I think Crosby is a tremendous player and stated that if he were done now he belongs in the HOF but I do not think if his career ends today it hurts the league much, if at all.

I know to some this will make me seem like I hate him, I don't, I just do not think any one player leaving even abruptly would damage the league greatly. Gretzky in his prime may have, but there is no equivalent to him now.

Hopefully we wont find out.

I don't know how you begin to quantify Sid's permanent absence. Of course, the league would continue, and it would probably remain just as successful. However, Crosby is a gate draw. When Pittsburgh makes its way through cities that don't exactly have a energized fan-base, he brings people to the gate.

Pittsburgh had the second highest road attendance in the league, last season, of just under 18,000 per game.

2010-2011 NHL Attendance - National Hockey League - ESPN

You can bet a lot of that has to do with who the captain is. And even though he was sidelined for the second half of last season, he still has that draw. If he were permanently sidelined, you would see those numbers decline.

Maybe another team would step into that role, but who's to know?

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Obviously the league won't fold if Crosby never played another game, but the casual fan isn't tuning in to watch Malkin lead the Pens.

 

[elocomotive]

Don't get too bent, El. It's just loco showing his Penguins hatred, he wears it like a tattoo across his forehead :ss:

How exactly is it showing "hatred" when I'm lumping OV in the same boat? Do I hate the Caps too?

The only thing I've heard from those claiming this would be detrimental are general statements. There is evidence to suggest otherwise. I don't think a cogent argument involving multiple players is "hating" on anyone.

Why not argue my actual point instead of saying I'm biased. Fucking stupid post, man.

 

[evolver115]

How exactly is it showing "hatred" when I'm lumping OV in the same boat? Do I hate the Caps too?

The only thing I've heard from those claiming this would be detrimental are general statements. There is evidence to suggest otherwise. I don't think a cogent argument involving multiple players is "hating" on anyone.

Why not argue my actual point instead of saying I'm biased. Fucking stupid post, man.

Calm down, i was kidding!! hence the

And for relevancy to the topic, look above ^^^^

 

[elocomotive]

Calm down, i was kidding!! hence the

And for relevancy to the topic, look above ^^^^

You directed it at El, so I thought the was to him. You made a good point. Nice you couldn't make that in the first point and had to hate.

 

[KennyBanyeah]

Consider this though. If Matt Cooke was ritually sacrificed during game play, would the league fold?

It makes ya think.

Crosby WILL be back; hopefully to butcher Cooke in a Lord of Flies-esque twist.